Huayu 2021: Isn’t he in the technology field?

Chapter 249 Don’t look back until you hit the wall

The next day, at 7:30 in the morning.

The autumn sunlight, carrying a clear coolness, filters through the golden leaves of the plane trees at the University of Science and Technology of China, casting dappled, shimmering light on the ground.

The air on the set was filled with the familiar aroma of coffee and a faint smell of dust.

As soon as Jiang Qing stepped into the film set's cordon, her eyes instinctively searched through the crowd.

Old Li, the stagehand, was carrying a light stand when he saw this and grinned.

"Good morning, Teacher Jiang! Teacher Zhang is setting up the scene in the corridor of Area B. Filming will start soon, so please hurry."

"Okay, thanks, Brother Li."

Jiang Qing smiled and nodded, walking straight through the passageway filled with equipment.

On his way here, he was still worried. Jingyi's declaration of "destiny" and her stubborn eyes kept lingering in his mind.

He had anticipated all sorts of possible reactions from her today: indifference, resentment, avoidance, and even a hint of resentment from being "driven away" by Ono the night before last.

The corridor in Area B has been decorated to resemble the computer science department's teaching building, and lighting technician Lao Zhao is adjusting a ceiling light.

Zhang Jingyi was standing under the beam of light at the end of the corridor, talking to the lighting assistant, Xiao Liu.

Today she was wearing a black coat, her hair was casually gathered at the back of her head, with a few slightly curled strands falling on both sides of her temples, and her face was covered with light makeup required for filming, clean and neat.

Jiang Qing stopped in her tracks instinctively.

The expected sadness or resentment did not appear on her face at all. She tilted her head slightly to listen to Xiao Liu, a relaxed smile on her lips, her eyes bright and focused. The confrontation at Huiyun's doorstep seemed to have no effect on her.

She didn't even notice his arrival.

Until the assistant director shouted through a megaphone.

"Jingyi! Teacher Jiang is here! Get ready to rehearse your lines, we're about to film this corridor scene!"

Hearing the sound, Zhang Jingyi turned her head, her gaze passing over the busy staff and landing precisely on Jiang Qing.

There was no dodging, no stiffness.

Her eyes instantly curved into crescents, as if filled with clear morning light. From a distance of several meters, she raised her hand and waved to him with remarkable naturalness, her voice crisp and clear, carrying her usual vitality.

"Jiang Qing! Good morning! Did you sleep well last night?"

His tone was familiar and natural, sounding completely unreserved, with no trace of acting.

Jiang Qing was slightly taken aback by the overly natural greeting. The prepared greeting got stuck in her throat, and she subconsciously replied with a sound.

"Good morning, I'm fine."

He walked toward her, his steps carrying a hesitation he himself was unaware of.

The surrounding staff had already begun clearing the area in preparation for filming.

Zhang Jingyi took two steps toward him, holding the script.

"Give."

Jiang Qing took a small medicine box out of her pocket and handed it over.

"It helps with hangovers and protects the liver; I might be able to use it if I drink alcohol outside in the future."

Zhang Jingyi's gaze fell on the medicine box, then she looked up at Jiang Qing. A quick glance of understanding flashed in her bright black eyes, which was then replaced by an even brighter smile.

She accepted it without any hesitation.

"Thanks! Teacher Jiang is so thoughtful."

She shook the medicine box, her smile open and honest.

"But that little bit of alcohol is nothing. My alcohol tolerance is probably better than yours. I'll show you next time!"

Her tone was relaxed, with a hint of smugness.

Looking at her bright, carefree smile, Jiang Qing's initial worry gradually subsided, replaced by a deeper sense of curiosity.

He spoke in a low voice, with a hint of probing.

"Jingyi, that night..."

The night before last?

Zhang Jingyi raised her eyebrows, interrupted him with an innocent look, and then showed a look of sudden realization.

"Oh~ you mean the entrance of Huiyun Renjia?"

She shrugged, speaking as casually as if she were talking about the weather.

“I took what my senior said to heart. She said you’re her boyfriend, I know that. Even if she didn’t say it, I knew it. Don’t forget I didn’t miss a single term at Peach Blossom Village.”

Her direct mention of Zhou Ye's announcement left Jiang Qing speechless for a moment, and the words of comfort she had prepared stuck in her throat.

Zhang Jingyi, however, seemed to have opened a floodgate of words. Holding the script, she leaned slightly forward and got closer to him, her eyes shining brightly, with an almost naive persistence and an unquestionable certainty.

"But, Jiang Qing."

She lowered her voice, with an intimate tone as if sharing a secret.

"I was telling the truth that night. Missing out at the Houhai bar was the first time, missing out at the cafe by the sea on Xiamen Island was the second time, and missing out at the concert later was the third time."

She counted on her fingers, staring at him without blinking, her tone growing increasingly firm.

"Once is a coincidence, twice is a coincidence, but what about three times? Jiang Qing, don't you think this is fate's arrangement? It went to so much trouble to bring us together, how can it just end like this? Senior is your girlfriend now, that's true, but who can predict what will happen in the future? I only trust my feelings and follow my heart!"

She tilted her head back, her gaze fixed intently on him, her confident light almost dazzling, carrying the reckless courage unique to a free spirit—once she made up her mind, she would never look back!
Looking at the unwavering certainty in her eyes, Jiang Qing felt as if her heart had been gently but firmly struck, and memories flashed back instantly.

Back then, in that dimly lit bar in Houhai, he was immediately drawn to the girl's eyes through the crowd.

Round and watery, it looks like it contains stars, and it still shines amazingly brightly even in the dim light.

He met her again on Xiamen Island. The girl's free and romantic soul, unbound by any rules, was like a leaping flame that instantly captivated him.

He admired her vibrant life force and her unwavering determination to achieve her goals.

At this moment, this spirit was not extinguished by the obstacles of reality; on the contrary, it burned even more fiercely and stubbornly.

Jiang Qing's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, a complex admiration in his eyes, which eventually turned into a smile that was both helpless and knowing.

"Little Zhu Zhu, your confidence... is truly unmatched."

"of course!"

Zhang Jingyi showed no modesty, gracefully raising her chin and smiling brightly.

"I've always been like this since I was a child. Once I've made up my mind about something, I won't turn back even if I hit a wall. Do you know why?"

She suddenly changed the subject, her tone still relaxed, but a hint of seriousness flashed in the depths of her eyes. "My parents separated a long time ago, and my younger brother and I live with our mother."

As she spoke, she naturally bent down to tidy up a small piece of cable lying at her feet, her movements swift and efficient, as if she were telling someone else's story.

Jiang Qing's eyes narrowed as he looked at the seemingly nonchalant girl in front of him, his expression turning serious.

“My mother runs a women’s clothing store. She is very busy and works very hard. Later, I went to a boarding school, and I stayed there for six years.”

She straightened up, dusted off her hands, and looked at Jiang Qing with calm and clear eyes.

“From junior high to high school graduation, I was on my own. Later, I wanted to study acting and become an actor. My mom wasn’t very supportive at first, thinking that this industry was too frivolous and that it would be better to go to a proper university for a stable life. But I was determined to take this path, and she saw that I was serious, so she was willing to support me.”

A look of reminiscence crossed her face, and the corners of her lips turned up slightly.

"When I first started learning acting, my pronunciation and intonation were my biggest weaknesses, so I followed the teacher and learned them word by word from scratch. But it doesn't seem to be that good now, hehe..."

She suddenly shrank her neck and smiled shyly, which made Jiang Qing lower his head and chuckle.

She gave him a reproachful glare before continuing to speak.

"In order to improve my dance skills, I practice extra every day. My legs are always covered in bruises after class. I want to take pictures and send them to my mother to complain, but I'm afraid of seeming too delicate, so I endure the pain, apply some safflower oil, and continue practicing."

"I've lost count of how many times I've gotten up at six to climb the stairs, practice tongue twisters, and practice my posture by biting chopsticks without fail."

"I also had to learn to sing, memorize lines, and rack my brains to come up with ideas for skits. To maintain my figure, I didn't touch pork or rice for a whole month."

"No one helped me plan. How to register for the art exam, what to prepare, which city to go to and which school to take the exam in, I had to find out everything myself by researching and making plans."

"During that busy month of exams, I took eight flights by myself between Beijing, Shanghai, and Changsha to take the exams. Of course, the results did not disappoint my efforts, and I received acceptance letters from nine schools, including the Central Academy of Drama and the Beijing Film Academy."

The sunlight swept over her at some point, casting a soft golden glow on her face.

She stood there, tall and straight, with clear and bright eyes. The independence and confidence that emanated from her very being was more dazzling than any exquisite makeup.

"So, Jiang Qing."

She tilted her head slightly, her smile open and confident.

"I trust my instincts. Once I've made up my mind about something, I'll do everything in my power to achieve it, no matter what others think."

She wasn't complaining to gain sympathy, nor was she showing off her past.

She was simply telling him in the most direct and honest way.

That's just the kind of person she is.

Once a goal is set, one will mobilize all their enthusiasm and perseverance to strive for it.

At this moment, her target is him.

Jiang Qing listened quietly to her words, looking at the pure and persistent flame in her eyes, and a corner of her heart was gently touched.

That vibrant vitality and unwavering sense of conviction possess the most touching power.

The smile on his lips deepened slightly, and he nodded at her.

"Ah."

He stared into her bright eyes, his voice steady and clear.

"However... it doesn't seem like it will be easy."

He smiled as he said this.

Zhang Jingyi scrutinized his face, and seemed to vaguely discern something.

Her smile widened instantly, like sunlight piercing through the clouds, dazzlingly bright.

Nod vigorously, her ponytail swinging behind her head in a vibrant arc.

"It's definitely not going to be easy! After all, it seems like my opponents aren't just Senior Zhou Ye."

Her voice was clear and crisp, carrying an undeniable determination, but what she said next made Jiang Qing raise an eyebrow.

Clearly, the girl also had doubts about his relationship with Dudu.

"But just you wait and see, Jiang Qing!"

The girl saw through Jiang Qing's thoughts and grinned.

"I will definitely be the one who is most compatible with you and can walk with you to the end."

Her eyes were bright, and her face was full of self-righteousness.

"Teacher Zhang! Teacher Jiang! Ready! We'll start filming in three minutes!"

Just then, the assistant director's voice suddenly pierced through the noise of the film set.

Zhang Jingyi winked at Jiang Qing, her eyes filled with cunning, confidence, and unwavering courage.

Then she turned around deftly, holding the script, and walked briskly towards the "Zhu Yun" position deep in the corridor, her back straight and full of high spirits.

Jiang Qing stood there watching her disappear into the light and shadow of the corridor setting. The cool morning air seemed to still carry the scent of her makeup and sunshine.

He let out a soft sigh.

There was a complex emotion in his voice that he himself hadn't fully sorted out, a emotion that had been burned by that burning confidence.

After quickly calming himself down, he strode towards the spot designated for "Li Xun".

The studio lights came on, the cameras started running, and the noisy voices were shut out of the frame.

At the end of the corridor, Zhang Jingyi stood holding a thick stack of documents, her face showing the weariness and stubbornness that belonged to Zhu Yun, her eyes burning as she waited for her co-star.

Jiang Qing approached step by step, casually leaning against the cold wall, habitually twirling the silver lighter prop in her hand.

He lifted his eyelids and looked at the girl a few steps away.

Off-camera, she is Zhang Jingyi, who firmly believes in "destiny".

On camera, she is Zhu Yun, her heart and eyes filled with Li Xun and her face full of stubbornness.

The clapperboard slammed down.

"Snapped!"

"Action!"

The filming continues.

-

Since fate has brought you to me three times, I will never let go.

—Zhang Jingyi
(End of this chapter)